The Republic of Korea's (ROK) president-elect named the first member of his Cabinet yesterday, saying he wants a veteran diplomat and a low-key conservative who is now working on a UN climate change team to be his prime minister.
By naming Han Seung-soo as premier, Lee Myung-bak is turning to a proven technocrat who has already served as foreign, finance and commerce minister, to manage the government's policy at home and abroad, analysts said.
Prime ministers in the ROK hold little real power but play an important role in coordinating the tasks of various government agencies. Analysts view Han's appointment favorably, seeing him as more of a pragmatist than an ideologue.
"At a time like this, the new government will face some economic difficulties," Han said at a news conference. "But if it eases regulations and investment in the private sector becomes active, I think many of these problems can be overcome."
Conservative Lee, who takes office on Feb 25, won the Dec 19 presidential election with pledges to rebuild the ROK's economy and improve ties with the United States and Japan, which had been strained by the current liberal government.
Han's appointment needs to be approved by parliament, which is controlled by left-of-center lawmakers.
Roh opposes ministry merge
Outgoing President Roh Moo-hyun went on national TV yesterday to make a last ditch appeal to block plans by his successor to axe several ministries including the one responsible for dealing with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The Unification Ministry has been central to Roh's policy of forging closer ties with the neighbor, a policy that President-elect Lee has criticized as too soft. Lee wants the ministry absorbed into the Foreign Ministry.
"Merging these ministries will mean impairing the philosophy and values of this government. That's why I've talked about a reconsideration," Roh told a televized news conference.
Lee wants to shut, merge or reduce six ministries once he takes office.
Roh urged the liberal-dominated parliament to block Lee's plans and said he could veto any legislation to streamline government that lands on his desk before he leaves office.
Currently, the foreign ministry represents the ROK in international talks to end Pyongyang's nuclear arms program while the unification ministry oversees relations between the two.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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